Mouth-supported flashlight



Oct. 20, 1942.

F. J. COLBY 2,299,467

MOUTH- SUPPORTED FLASHLIGHT Filed May 16, 1941 1 74/26 J (fozy Patented Oct. 20, 1942 2,299,467 MOUTH-SUPPORTED FLASHLIGHT Frank J. Colby, Forest City,

Iowa, assignor of forty-five per cent to George K. Allen, Estherville, Iowa Application May 16, 1941, Serial No. 393,807 1 Claim. (Cl. 240-105) The invention has for 'an object to present a novel construction in portable battery-operated flashlights and the like, or hand lamps of the type in which a dry cell is mounted within the 'case, whereon a low voltage electric lamp device is mounted, adapted to be operated on a circuit with the battery cell.

It is an important aim of the invention to present such an article which will not require the use of the hands in its movement required to direct its beam in limited areas where illumination is desired.

A primary purpose of the invention is to present a case for lamps of this type which may be held in the mouth, when required, so that its beam may be directed by the movement of the head of the operator, or movement of the jaws, teeth and tongue.

The invention has special value for use by night fishermen, for use in illuminating dufile bags, snell books, fly books, and hooks and bait while baiting a line, as well as for various other uses in which hand-lamps of this general type are used.

The device will be useful for hunters and others, in order to direct the beam from the lamp at desired objects, while leaving both hands free for manipulation of a weapon or otherwise. It is an important aim of the invention to present such an article which may be produced at a low cost, and which may be readily manipulated by inexperienced persons'with safety and a minimum liability of faulty operation of the lamp, or accidents from its use. It is also an aim of the invention to present a battery case and lamp mounting embodying my invention in such manner that conventional battery cells may be used therein without requiring modification .of the battery necessarily.

Additional objects, advantages and features of invention reside in the construction, arrangement and combinations of parts involved in the embodiment of the invention, as may be more readily understood from the following description and accompanying drawing, wherein Figure 1 is a top view of a lamp embodying my invention.

Figure 2 is a side elevation thereof.

Figure 3 is a view showing my invention in use by a fisherman in a typical way.

There is illustrated a lamp case In, which may be embodied in various forms, adapted to receive battery cells therein, and may be variously shaped, either for ornamental or utilitarian purposes, according to the requirements of use and 5 expediency in manufacture, or other reasons. In the present instance, in the form shown in Figures 1 to 3 inclusive, the case in-the particular form shown in Figures 1 and 2, the case as viewed in top plan has a broad, substantially rectangular body portion II, in one end of which a bulls-eye lens I2 is set, while at the opposite end a longitudinally projecting tongue or mouthpiece I3 is formed integrally with the case, although it may constitute an attached member secured in a conventional way. The mouth-piece is slightly broadened at its outer part, and formed with upper and lower transverse ribs ll, adapted to engage within the teeth of the user, when the stem is inserted between the teeth and held by pressure of the upper and lower teeth against respective sides of the tongue l3. The body portion of the tongue l3 adjacent the case body is also broadened, so as to constitute a slight protrusion in the general form of a fishtail, and when engaged in the mouth of a user will not roll or become misdirected by lateral oscillations. The extremity of the mouth-piece stops short immediately at the ribs [4, so as to project within the mouth of the user to a minimum degree when in use.

The lower part of the case below the tongue member 13 is extended a distance below the tongue, and formed with a slight bulge or promi nence 15, at such distance below the mouthpiece as to be adapted to rest against the chin of the user, when the mouth-piece is gripped in the mouth and held with the ribs l4 just within the teeth of the user.

nal axis of the body H, and in a line closely adjacent the top surface of the latter, so that the body portion of the case, in the main, lies below the mouth-piece.

The case may be variously shaped and formed and adapted to be opened to receive battery cells therein, and while other means for opening may be provided, in the present instance the case is shown as formed in two parts, an upper section I6, and a lower section it joined approximately in the medial major plane of the article. The case may be fitted at any convenient point with a switch device 81, which may conform to usual practices in the construction of such switches, and any usual form of lamp and lamp mounting may be incorporated in proper relation to the lens I 2, these features being well understood in the art, comprise no novel part of my invention and therefore are not illustrated in detail. Also if desired, a pocket clip spring l8 may be fixed The mouth-piece I3 is extended substantially parallel to the longitudi- 2 on the case near one end or edge, so that the case may be suspended by engaging the edge of the pocket of the wearer under the clip, and the case will be suspended so that the light from the lamp may illuminate the lap of the user, or an area or zone in front of the user, or the clip may be utilized to hold the lamp inside the pocket at other times. The clip may also be engaged with any object of a suitable kind to serve as a support, so that the lamp may be hung upon buildings, trees and other objects.

Preferably the form of the case shown in Figures 1 to 3 is moulded of a plastic material in two separable parts, and it would be advantageous if the material is of low heat conducting eificiency, for the comfort of the user.

While I have disclosed the invention with great have embodied understood that various changes in the arrangement, construction and combination 0! parts, as well as substitution of equivalents and substitution of materials may be made in the device without departing from the spirit of the invention as more definitely determined by the appended claim.

I claim:

An illuminating device of the character described consisting of a two-part longitudinally split casing, said casing including an electric light bulb and means for energizing the latter, the upper part of the casing having a mouthpiece projected rearwardly therefrom, the adjacent end of the lower part of the casing having a curvature shaped and constructed to form an abutment to engage the lower lip and upper portion of the chin of a user when the mouth-piece is held between the teeth and lips.

FRANK J. COLBY. 

